Deputy Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert (Administrative Office of the Courts photo)
STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1
Kentucky’s court system is moving ahead with a major reorganization of several statewide programs to match new funding levels approved by lawmakers.
The Kentucky Judicial Branch is restructuring its Office of Statewide Programs, which oversees Specialty Courts, Family and Juvenile Services and Pretrial Services, according to information announced by Chief Justice of the Commonwealth Debra Hembree Lambert.
The changes were first outlined May 15 and are tied to House Bill 504, the Judicial Branch appropriation bill for the 2026-2028 biennium.
The reorganization is intended to eliminate redundant layers of supervision, align services with available funding and implement a regional service model across Kentucky’s 120 counties, according to a press release from the Judicial Branch.
For Specialty Courts, which include Drug Court, Mental Health Court and Veterans Treatment Court, the programs are being revised to improve financial sustainability while maintaining critical services for participants.
One major change shifts the cost of treatment services to recipients and appropriate health care resources, while another replaces specialized roles with frontline employees who report to a single regional supervisor.
According to the Judicial Branch, the goal is to improve accountability, simplify supervision and use resources more efficiently so the programs can continue long term.
Family and Juvenile Services programs are also being adjusted in response to recent legislative changes, according to the press release. The new structure is expected to improve operational stability and employee retention.
Dedicated second- and third-shift court designated worker positions will be created for juvenile complaint processing, allowing the department to offer more reliable 24-hour coverage for judges and court partners. That approach should reduce the burden on day-shift staff and supervisors, who have been expected to remain on call around the clock.
Pretrial Services will move to a similar regional model, eliminating specialized positions and focusing on expanding and supporting frontline services. The intent is to improve communication, staff competency and the quality of information judges receive for bail determinations.
Across all of the affected departments, the restructuring will create 109 positions centered on frontline service delivery and result in a net loss of just over 60 positions overall. The changes will save approximately $5 million a year while still allowing the Judicial Branch to meet its constitutional duties and deliver statutory programs and services statewide, according to the press release.
Eligible employees have begun receiving job placement offers based on seniority, and internal hiring has opened for dozens of newly created positions.
By the close of business on the day of the announcement, the Judicial Branch expected to post 54 new positions for Kentucky Court of Justice employees.
To support workers affected by the reorganization, the Administrative Office of the Courts plans to host an employee resource fair June 11 at its central office in Frankfort.
Chief Justice Lambert said the Judicial Branch used this process to broaden frontline services, improve organizational efficiency and ensure resources remain focused on work performed daily in courtrooms and clerk’s offices.
Key Facts
– Kentucky Judicial Branch restructuring Office of Statewide Programs
– Changes follow passage of House Bill 504, the Judicial Branch budget
– Specialty Courts, Family & Juvenile Services and Pretrial Services affected
– Plan creates 109 new frontline-focused positions
– Net loss of just over 60 jobs across affected departments
– Officials project about $5 million in annual savings
– Specialty Courts expected to continue statewide with revised funding model
– New regional model to simplify supervision and improve consistency
– Employee resource fair set for June 11 in Frankfort
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